PlastChem – Identifying and addressing chemicals and polymers of concern. “Chemicals are a central aspect of the plastics issue. Although there is a wealth of scientific information on plastic chemicals and polymers to inform policymakers, implementing this evidence is challenging because information is scattered and not easily accessible. The PlastChem report and database address this issue by comprehensively and consistently synthesizing the state of the science on plastic chemicals, including their hazard properties, and their presence in polymers. The state-of-the-science report provides the publicly available evidence to inform policy development that protects public health and the environment…Countries are currently negotiating a global plastics treaty to end plastic pollution. A strong treaty will solve this planetary crisis and enable a transition to a safer and sustainable circular economy. But it is essential that the treaty addresses plastic chemicals because all plastics, from food packaging to car tires, contain thousands of chemicals that can leach into foodstuffs, homes, and the environment. Since many of these chemicals are hazardous, they can damage human health and the environment. A new report provides essential scientific information on plastic chemicals that can enable production of plastics that are safer for humans and the environment, in a single, comprehensive, and systematically compiled resource. Known as the PlastChem Report, the document provides a scientific approach for identifying and dealing with the many chemicals of concern in plastics today and will support policy makers, but also other stakeholders, in science-based decision making. Plastic chemicals comprise all chemicals in plastics, including additives, processing aids, and impurities….The new PlastChem Report shows that there are more plastic chemicals than previously known, with over 16,000 chemicals included in the new PlastChem database that accompanies the report.”